Material Dialogues: námskeið með sérfræðingum frá Ítalíu

We invite you to a three-day hands-on workshop at the TextileLab in Blönduós (taught in English!) 

Researchers from Materials Design for Transition group, at polimi: Politecnico Milano, Italy's largest scientific-technological university, will lead a foraging session and hands-on activities. Participants will experiment with DIY bioplastics, yarns, papers, and biocomposites, learning how materials’ properties, limits, and transformations can inform creative processes. The workshop will include collective experimentation, documentation, and discussion using logbooks, images, and mood boards and conclude with a small exhibition. 

Day 1 – Exploration and Context

10:00–10:45 – Introductions & Presentations
10:45–11:00 – Coffee Break
11:00–13:00 – Workshop Overview: Goals, Materials Design approach, DIY Materials introduction, foraging session briefing
13:00–14:00 – Lunch
14:00–16:45 – Foraging Session: Collect leaves, bark, lichens, algae; local biologist/ecologist may provide context
16:45–17:00 – Coffee Break
17:00–18:00 – Documentation & Drying: Prepare collected materials for experimentation

Day 2 – Experimentation and Documentation

10:00–10:45 – Presentation: Documentation methods, DIY Materials recipes, experimentation guidelines
10:45–11:00 – Coffee Break
11:00–13:00 – Hands-on Experimentation: Create and document material samples
13:00–14:00 – Lunch
14:00–15:45 – Continued Experimentation: Explore techniques, develop samples and demonstrators
15:45–16:00 – Coffee Break
16:00–17:00 – Discussion & Reflection: Share discoveries and connect with participants’ craft practices

Day 3 – Reflection and Presentation

10:00–11:00 – Presentation: Storytelling and communicating material research
10:45–11:00 – Coffee Break
11:00–13:00 – Finalization: Refine samples and artifacts, prepare for exhibition
13:00–14:00 – Lunch
14:00–16:00 – Group Discussion & Reflection: Present work, share insights, discuss future directions

Workshop fee: 5000 ISK. Please note that accommodation and lunch are not included in the workshop fee. Coffee and snacks will be available throughout the day. If you would like assistance with arranging accommodation, please feel free to contact us by email. 

You can register for the workshop here: https://www.textilmidstod.is/en/education/webshop/index/courses/material-dialogues

More info:
TextileLab Team – Chiara Alissa Estivariz Lopez & Sarah Finkle
textillab@textilmidstod.is